FasTracks wonders: Want to pay more taxes?

The Coalition for Smart Transit is reportedly funding a potpourri of surveys and focus groups intended to determine if Colorado voters might cast November ballots in favor of a tax increase benefiting FasTracks, which is facing a $2.2 billion funding gap. Good luck with that one. As the state faces...

By Michael Roberts

January 28, 2010

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The Coalition for Smart Transit is reportedly funding a potpourri of surveys and focus groups intended to determine if Colorado voters might cast November ballots in favor of a tax increase benefiting FasTracks, which is facing a $2.2 billion funding gap.

Good luck with that one. As the state faces a budget crisis so severe that legislators are already considering an added tax on candy, of all things, the odds that Coloradans will be eager to open their wallets wider are mighty slim. Nonetheless, the Coalition still wants to ask, and is willing to spend $200,000 to get an answer.

That's a lot of money for a "no."

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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